Letters to strangers

It’s amazing how an idea transforms into action. And before that it’s amazing how ideas come into being. I was reading an article on Daily Good on how to change the world in hot cocoa and Neruda by Hannah Brencher. The article led me to her website – The world needs more love letters. And that was it. I read and read and devoured the website with stories of people who have received the letters written by strangers and people who have written them!

Sometimes all you need is love. And when it comes unexpected, at times most-wanted, from strange quarters, it is most effective!

Today I reached a little early for our weekly Awakin gathering or silent Wednesdays as they were earlier called. I started telling Jignasha and Swara about this random act of kindness – of sending handwritten letters to strangers. How amazing and simple it was and I could only imagine the happiness in the heart of the receiver. Suddenly I was thinking aloud “can we do it here, as a group? Just like we did the Food+love=Prasad morning.”

And then it was 7pm. We all sat for meditation, followed by sharing and then silent dinner. Unlike most days, we had a smaller crowd yesterday and the dinner got over by 9:30 and we all sat together for some chit-chat. Swara then asked me to tell the idea to the group and everyone was so excited that Jignasha and Swara brought out a whole sack of plain cards and color pencils and pens for all of us to write. I couldn’t believe what was happening! Something which was just a thought a few hours ago was actually turning into reality!

we immediately set to write letters to strangers!

Everybody wrote a letter, some wrote two and then at first we thought we will drop them at public places tomorrow but then we wanted to read what others had written. So we decided to put all the cards in a bag and everyone gets to pick one. Since this was the initiation of something that we would do regularly from now on, we decided to pick one for each one of us! Not that we are strangers to each other, but we didn’t know who wrote our card and it was fun. It was an instant joy and one could see the twinkle in the eyes when everyone read their letter.

So here’s to reaching out to you! Next time if you see a card which says “pick me up” or “yes!! It is for you” or “Pick up buddy, it’s gonna make you smile”; don’t miss out on the opportunity. Pick up the card and pass on the happiness to someone else!

Smile! You’ve just been tagged!

To the beautiful you!

PS: Contact us if you would like to join us in this journey of reaching out to strangers and wishing them love!

After attending Wednesday night session at awaking gathering I feel effect of that happy positive energy in Thursday morning. As an echo of yesterday’s session energy and sharing. Energy was something more powerful by hugs and love letters writings.. 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂 .. I wrote this message in this morning.

[…] few days ago I read Ashima’s post on how the Wednesday meditation group in Vadodara wrote letters to strangers, inspired by a movement started by a girl in New York in August 2011. What a lovely gesture! I […]

so a friend and I left 2 letters in a cafe… i told the helper out there what we were doing and he smiled and said… Great! a couple of people went by and read and left the card back there. after a couple of minutes when i was back from a grocery store… I saw the owner reading that card and was a little puzzled… she then looked at me at a distance… we exchanged glances, smiled and walked towards each other… as usual got the question… why? what is the purpose? what organization?… the answer was ‘spreading smiles’… there were a lot of smiles… we spontaneously hugged each other 🙂 🙂 loved it!

Since starting the practice/affirmation of writing love letters — just because I love doing it!

My commission only job income went up 50%, my rent went down $100, and I earned and received my Actors’ Equity Association card!

Everyday, I am so appreciative and focusing on doing what I love for lots of money. Recently auditioned for a Broadway show, too. And even though I do not know the outcome — if I will be called back or make my Broadway debut — I received “that was really good” from five top Broadway professionals! That made my year!

Join me in this wonderful way to love others and appreciate what we do have!

[…] so much hope and love to see so many different ways people are reaching out to strangers! Writing letters to strangers; offering lifts; sharing smiles and hugs; serving tea and striking conversations … are just a […]

[…] few days ago I read Ashima’s post on how the Wednesday meditation group in Vadodara wrote letters to strangers, inspired by a movement started by a girl in New York in August 2011. What a lovely gesture! I […]